Hacking machine



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May lo 1927' G. E. LUCE HACKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1925 9Sheets-Sheet 8 May 1o, 1927. 1,627,656

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ATTORNEYS Patented May l0, 1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

GRAFTON E. LUCE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

HACKING MACHINE.

' Application filed February 23, 1926.

This invention relates to an improved method of handling articles suchas brick and the like, which is generically known as hacking, and themachinery for handling them as indicated.

y The term cross-hacking inthe brick and similar arts and herein,includes the idea of arranging layers of brick with the brick of onelayer having a predetermined angular relation to the brit-k of anotherlayer. 'The term segregation includes the idea of arranging the brick ofa layer in predetermined relation With respect to each other.

The chief object of the invention is to mechanically handle brick in theone remaining step in the process of manufacturing of the brick whereheretofore and at the present time, manual handling and not mechanicalhandling is' used. With the present invention, used in conjunction withother machines at present in use, brick can be mechanically handled fromthe beginning of the brick formation to the loading of the completedbrick in the shipping container, with none of the disadvantages and verylittle of the cost of manual handling.

The chief feature of the invention consists in the provision of amachine which is herein called a hacking machine formechanically'ha'ndling brick from that stage of the process in theirmanufacture where they are formed to that stage of the process wherethe' .are received by a receiver commonly -cal ed a dryer car, or inthat stage in a certain brick process, knownras the soft mud processwhere the brick are produced uponv pallets received by the dryer and areat present manually handledbetween the dryer and the kiln. f

Briefly, one sequence of operation of the unitary hacking machine is asfollows: Brick are supplied usuallyby a constantly moving belt'and thebelt supports said brick in stream formation, the brick in each streambeing separated or spaced from each other, generally, with regularspacing but not necessarily so. The belt may simultaneously support oneor more streams of brick which may or may not -be arranged in completetransverse rows. The dryer car is a car adapted ,to receive a pluralityof layers of brick positioned thereon in predetermined relation, .andgenerally the brick in each Serial No. 90,172.

layer have a predetermined positioning with respect:l to each other andthe brick in each layer have a predetermined positioning with respect tothe brick of adjacent layers. Commonly, such last mentionedpredetermined relation consists of positioning the brick in alternatecourses or layers transversely of each other. The hacking machine isadapted to automatically take enough brick from the belt to complete orsubstantially complete, the entire layer or a predetermined portion ofthe layer of brick in the dryer car. Thebrick, however presented to themachine, are automatically positioned in predetermined relation to eachother by the machine before deposition. This action is calledsegregation. After segregation the brick are automatically deposited onthe dryer car in the desired 'relation with respect to other brickthereon. Followingthe automatic deposition of the brick in the dryer carthe machine automatically returns to its initial position adjacent thebelt for another load of brick. The parts of the machine are so arrangedthat the device is substantially automatic in its operation, that is,inthe sequence of steps through which thebrick are passed. The machineis so constructed that the omission of one or a few brick from themachine in any layer of brick does not interfere with the brick upon thebelt to, be immediately handled by the machine, nor does it' interferewith any of the automatic operations. It is tobe understood that any oftlie motions described as automatically controlled, either initiated orstopped, or both, may be manually initiated, stopped or controlled asdesired without in any 'Way departing from the broad disclosure of theinvention.

With relatively slow belt speeds one hacking machine can handle all ofthe brick on the belt. With high belt speed, the time element is lSuch'that it is preferable to employ a"plurality of hacking machinesstrccessivelv positioned along the belt. While one hacking machine isfilling the other may be segregating, depositing and returning. 'henmore thantwo machines are employed one may be segregating, anotherdepositing and another returning, while a fourth is filling. Variouscombinations dcterminable by the particular plant `equipment andoperasoA Fig. 2 and of the inter-control several parts of the machinewhereby theA tion will determine the number of hacking machines utilizedwith each belt. The plant requirements will also determine whatparticular type of hacking will be performed by the machine.

The construction and control are such that when the machine is placed inthe roper position for filling with brick, the bric pass through themachine without being engaged until a master control is operated. Byactuation of the master control, either manually or automatically,certain parts of the machine are placed in position for brickengagement. Upon brick engagement filling of the machine isautomatically initiated and each step of the filling is thenceforwardautomatically initiated by brick engagement with some part of themachine. The filling or substantially complete filling of themachinewith brick automatically initiates the remaining series of operations asbefore indicated vuntil the machine is again automatically repositionedin the initial position, whereupon the master control is again actuated.The master control may be actuated either manually or automatically. Theautomatic operation of the master c ontrol is employed where two or morehacking machines are used with the same belt, the hacking inachinesbeing interconnected soptliat the fillino` of one machine to apredetermined point will automatically initiate the filling of anothermachine.

In the following the terminology brick, includes a brick or a brickunit, the latter comprising a lurality of contacting brick arran ed inunit formation for simultaneous handling, which unit formation usuallyis maintained until after firing. By the terminology individuallypicking up brick, is meant the individual picking up of a brick or brickunit as'defined above.

Brick inthe following specification and claims isnot only intended toinclude abrick or brick unit, lbut to include similar articlesparticularly lastic articles such` as terra cotta tiles an other tiles.`

The full natureyof the invention will be understood from theaccompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings Fig. 1 is adiagrammaticl inter-controls for 'automaticoperation and for the automatic initiation of othesiibsequentoperations. Fig. 3 is a.. diagram of wiring connections and is acontinuation of 'ing devices associated with the Segre tween'the Q l`regator,"filed July 14, 1925, Serial '.No.

automatic and predetermined sequence of operations is-obtained. Fig. 4is a continuation of the wiring diagram shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and is ofthe motor automatic controls and of the initiation control for theentire machine. Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram corresponding to Fig. 3 andof a modified form of control whereby a slightly different sequence oloperation is secured. Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a pluralityof brick lifting and grasping devices, tandem arranged, with some of theparts in the brick elevated position, another preparatory to elevatingand still others in the inoperative position. Fig. 7 is an endelevational View with parts in central section of one form of brickgraspino' and lifting devices. Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevationalview with parts in central section of a brick rasping and lifting devicewith parts in t e brick elevated position. Fig. 9 is a similar device inposition immediately preceding grasping, the parts being arranged forautomatic operation. Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the segregator, themajor portion of the figure. showing the parts in the extended ositionand one corner of the figure showingt e parts in the contractedposition. Fig. 11 isa side elevational view of a. plurality of bricklifttor, and shows the same in the extended position.

Fig. 12 is a similar view of the same parts in the contracted position.Fig. 13 is atop plan view of the actuating and supporting mechanismofthe segregator, the former being shown in the contracted relation, theouter dotted line' of said figure indicating 'the extended position ofthe segregator,

while the-inner dotted line indicates the contracted positioncorresponding to the position of the parts shown. in full line. Fig. 14is a top plan view of a portion of the segregator device showing thesaine in the extended positionl corresponding to that shown in Fig. 11.Fig. 15 is a similar view of the same parts in the contracted orsegregated position, and corresponding to that illustrated in Fig. 12.Fig. 16 is a top plan view of the trolley, and'level selectin trolcrane. Fig. 17 is a side elevationa view of the same, parts being shownin section to show other parts in detail. central sectional view of oneof the level selecting switches and the contacter 1associated therewithin one position, the dotted lines indicating a secondpositioiiebtainable in lowering movement. Fig. 19 is a similar-1 view ofthe same parts showing the same in another position while beingelevated.

The several arts of the hacking machine are described, illustrated andclaimed perse and Without' the inter-control'in the follow` ingcopending applications: ".Brick-lifter,

filed August 1, 1925, SerialNo. ,47,515,.S eg,

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Fig. is is a iso' 726,032, and Automatic crane, filed No'- veinber 14,1924, Serial No. 749,929. For a clear understanding of theinteraction ofthe several parts and the inter-controls associated therewith, asubstantial duplication of the subject matter of the before mentionedapplications is given hereinafter.

The brick grasping and lifting mechanism in its preferred form is .shownin Figs. (i to 9 inclusive. Fig. 6 illustrates a plurality of liftersupon a common support positioned immediately over a helt carrying brickin spaced relation and which is positioned beneath the lifter so as topass the brick through the lifter, the latter straddling the brick.

In the drawings 300 indicates a brick unit or brick carried by a belt301 commonly called an olf-bearing belt, or other suitable movablesupport.' These brick are formed by a brick making machine and areremoved from said machine by the off-bearing belt. Various other typesof removal and formation may be employed, but the invention'depends uponthe relative movement of the brick and the brick lifting devices' forcontrolling the. operation of the latter'. A tubular shaft 302constitutes a support which slidably supports a plurality. of bricklifting devices in tandem relation. The hanger for each brick liftingdevice is hereinafter termed the saddle and is indicated by the numeral303. Slidably associated with the saddle. 303 and upon an axistransverse to the shaft axis 302 is a shaft 304. As hereinafter pointedout this shaft 304 is associated with a plurality of brick liftingdevices arranged in transverse row formation, whereas shaft 302 isasociated with brick lifiing devices arranged in tandem row relation.

The details of each brick lifting device, that is, the preferred form ofthe invention, is shown clearly in Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive. In thef-:efigures the support framework includes a pair of straps or side members305 depending from the saddle 303 and depending from said sides is acradle construction 306 0n which is movably mounted the brick graspingand lifting mechanism. Mounted within the aforesaid framework betweenthe cradle and the saddle is a fluid operable power unit consistingr ofa pair of solenoids each including an upper and lower coil, said coilsbeing in aligned relation and indicated by the numeral 307. A commonarmature 308 is stationarily associated with cores 309. In alignedrelation with cores 309 is another core 310 which is slidably supportedwithin the coil. Silidably supported cores` 310 are connected by amovable armature 311. The magnetic path of the solenoid construction,therefore, includes the armature 308 and 311 and the cores 309 and 310.Current supplied to the coils 307 will 'build up the magnetic field inthe resultant construciion and cause the armature 311 with the cores tomove upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 7 to the position shown inFig. 8. The amount of reciprocatory movement of the armature and coresis predetermined and naturally can be adjusted.. As shown clearly in Fig9 the upper end ot the cradle 300 suppoits the movable armature andcores when in the lowered position.

'lhe brick grasping mechanism consists of a pair of plates 312 which mayor may not be provided on their adjacent and inner faces with smallprojections 313. The plates 312 are hingedly supported through a hingemember 11-,l rigid therewith which is Vpivotally supported on pin 315carried by a combination pivotal support and spring retainer 316. Aroller 317 is adapted to roll along the side of the cradle 306 and thusinsure aligned movement of the hinge member. As shown clearly in Figs. 7and t5, a pair of spring retainers 31.0 are provided and the endsthereof are bifurcated as at 318 and straddle the cradle framework 306and align the movable mechanism associated therewith. The spring 320 isinerposed between the cradle and the movable spring retainer :10 formingthe support for the hinge members 311 and serves to normally maintainthe membersllt and all of the mechanism -supported thereby in the lowerposition.

Intermediate the ends of each of the plates and centrally positioned isa pivot supporting block 321. Pivotally supported ou said block 321 is alink 322, the upper end of which is pivotally connected by a lilik 324to a draw-bar 325. A transverse link 326 is pivotally connected at eachend to a pair of the links 322. The draw-ba'r 325 has'a detachable andadjustable connection with the movable armature 311. Thus` reciprocatorymovement of the armature through the draw-bar will elevate and lower thehinge pin 327 connecting the two links 324 each connected to the freeend of the links 322, the other end of which is pivotally connected to aplate 312. An upward pull on the draw-bar will serve to elevate the twolinks 32-1 and tend to throw the pivots and therefore the upper ends oflinks 322 outwardly and away from each other. Because the two links 322are connected by a' spacing link 326, this movement serves to draw theclamping plates 312 towards each other and thus grasp the article. Thisinward movement of the plates continues until Such time as the plateshave grasped the article with just sutlicien't force to permit of itsbeing lifted. Continued upward movement of the draw-bar, therefore, willelevate the plates 312 with links 322, 324 and 326, said upward looltlfi llo movement being in opposition to the springs 320 and continuingto the point determined by the seating of the armature in closedrelation. The foregoing constitutes the simplitied brick rasping andlifting device.

Each brlck lifting device includes a pa'ir of yoke forming straps 328which are connected at their upper end to the draw-bar 325 and at theirlower'end are spaced by a sleeve or bushing 329, said bushing beingcarried by a pin 330 upon the outer and projecting ends of which aremounted rollers 331. These rollers 331 slida'bly support a pair of links4332, one end of each of which is pivotally connected to a link 353which link is in turn pivotally connected to the frame 306 at 333.lithin the pairof links 332 and within the yoke construction, is anotherpair ofy links 333, pivotally supported by the frame 306 at 32 3". A'switch contact support 334 is preferably in the form of insulation andis pivotally supported at 335 and 336 in the free ends ol the pairs ot'links 332 and 333, respectively. The insulation block 334 supports atrigger 337 adapted to be engaged by the brick 300, which engagementtilts said insulat ion b'ock and causes the contact plate 333,yieldingly mountingr the contact finger 339,-to engage the relativelystationarily mounted contact plate 340 carried by the insulation block341, in turn stationarily mounted upon links 333. Thus, tilting of theblock by reason of the trigger engaging the brick causes the contactfinger 339 to engage stationary contact switch 340 and this switch isthe control for the solenoids 307.v then current is supplied throughsaid switch to the solenids it immediately elevatcs the draw-bar andcauses the draw-bar to tilt the entire switch mechanism into thepositions shown in Fig. 8. These positions are a'lsoshown in the firstthree left hand devices illustrated in Fig. 6.

Stationarily supported by the 'cradle 306 is a back contact 342insulated from the same by a 4block 343. An insulation block 344' ispivotally mounted at 345 upon the cradle 306 and ca'rries a switchcontact finger yieldngly mounted at 346. Said switch contact finger 346is normally maintained in engagement with contact member 342 and this isa control switch for an auxiliary solenoid 347. The draw-barconstruction 325 carries a stop or trigger 348 which in the upwardmovement of the draw-bar is adapted to engage a bracket or projectinglinger 349 and tilt the switch block 343 upon its pivot 345. and thusopen the circuit at the switch 342-346.

Stationarily mounted bythe cradle 306 is a solenoid frame 350 whichencloses the auxiliary solenoid 347. Then this solenoid is energized itraises the core 351 pivotally supported at 352 hv the links 333. Thismovement tends to throw downwardly into brick engageable position thecontact or trigger 337 for brick engagement and the closure of theswitch 339-340 controlling the solenoids 307.

Adjacentto solenoid 347 is a. plunger rod '354 adapted to engage atransverse connector 355 carried by the free ends of the links 333, andsaid rod 354 includes a spring retainer 356 between which, and thesolenoid support 350, is interposed a spring 357. This spring actingthrough said plunger normally maintains the trigger mechanism in thenon-engaging' position when solenoids 307 and 347 are both deenergized.

The sequence of operation is as follows:

Coil 347 is manually or automaticall actuated, which projects and dropsownwardly into brick engageable position the contact or trigger 337.Immediately upon brick engagement the switch 339-340 carried by theblock 334 is closed, which energizes solenoid 307. This elevates thedrawbar, causes the clamping plates to clamp the brick and then theremainder of the application ol' the solenoid force is applied toelevational movement in opposition to springs 320. he substitution ofsprings of ditl'erent strength will regulate the force actually appliedfor grasping, and if desired springs 320 may be entirely omitted, inwhich event gravity will cause the parts to operate as if springs wereutilized provided the weight ot' the several parts is adjusted to givethe desired grasping force. As the draw-bar moves upwardly the stop 348engages bracket or tinger 349 and opens the switch 342-346 previouslyclosed. Simultaneously therewith the draw-bar elevatesand tilts theswitch 339-340 into the position shown in Fig. 8, the pressure of thedraw-bar on links 332 through rollers 331 maintaining the switch inclosed position. Breaking the contact at 342-346 deenergizes theauxiliary solenoid 347 which allows the elevating and tilting of theswitch 339-340 to be accon'iplished without the necessity of opposingthe pull of said solenoid. "hen the solenods 307 are deenergized, thebrick are dropped and the plates and linkages returned by gravity andthe action of springs 320 and 35i to their original position. that is,with the plates lowered, separated and straddling the path of the brickand the trigger 337 in the non-engaging position above the path ot thebrick. When the auxiliary solenoid is again energized the trigger' isagain placed in the path of the brick and upon brick engagement thecycle is repeated.

In the operation of a tandem row of brick litters such as shown in Fig.6. the auxiliary solenoid of brick lifter number 1 is energi'zed by amanually or automaticallyoperated master control to place the trigger ofthis lifter in thc path of the brick. Closing llO of the switch 339-340of this lifter by brick engagement not only actuates the liftingsolenoid for grasping and elevating brick but actuates the auxiliarysolenoid of lifter num- Segregator.

In Figs. 12 and 13 a reinforced collar 360 is associated with arectangular framework 361 and mounted thereon is a motor 362 having thedriving shaft 363 and spiral driving gear 364. The rectangular framework361 is provided upon two opposite and parallel edges with two T-shapeddepending guides 365; and upon its upper surface and upon adjacent andparallel edges with a pair of i T-shaped guides 366. See Figs. 11, 12and 13. Slidably supported upon each of the T- shaped upwardly extendingprojecting or guide members 366, is a pair of outwardly extensible arms367 having the 'if-shaped groove 368 therein for engagement with theT-shaped projections 366. The upper surface of the arm 367 is toot-hedas at 369 to provide a rack. Other arms 370 are provided with T-shapedslots 371 for receiving the suspending T-shaped guide and support 365previously described. The lower face of each of the slotted arms 370 arealso toothed as at 372.

In suitable supporting brackets carried by the rectangular framework361, there is ro'- tatably mounted parallel shafting 373 and otherparallel shafting 374, said shaftings being at right angles to eachother and ying 1n superposed planes. Shafting 373 1ncludes a pluralityof spiral gears 375, one of which meshes with the driving spiral `gearor pinion 364 driven by motor 362. Each s iral gear 375 meshes with aspiral gear 3176 carried by one of the shafts 374. Each shaft 373includes at each end a pinion 373n and each shaft 374 includes at eachend a pinion 374, which pinions mesh with the toothed portions of thearms 367 and 370 respectively. The resultant construction is a closedspiralgear drive, power operable by the motor 362 for the extension andcontraction of the arms 367 and 370. Whenever motor'362 is energized thepower is transmitted through the gearing and will either simultaneouslyretract the transf versely positioned arms 367 and 370 or will`simultaneously extend the same. lEach. of

the arms 367 terminates in a depending bracket member 377 provided withan opening 378.

A tubular shaft 380 (see Figs. 11 and 13,) supports a pair of tubularextensions 381 each of which include similar extensions 379 terminatingin the shafting 382, said tubular shafting bein extensible andcontractable axially. The epending arms 377 having the openings 378receive sleeve shafts 379. The foregoing construction is such that thetelescopically sectionalized shafting is associated with the pair ofprojecting arms 367, so that a pair of said telescopically sectionalizedshafts are caused to move inwardly and outwardly towards and awa fromeach other, respectively, inparalle and spaced relation andsimultaneously.

A similar sleeve shaft 383 includes the telescopically associatedsleeves 384 which also support the shafting extensions 385. The sleeves384 are mounted in openings 378 carried by depending supports 377 inturn suspended from the projecting arms 370. Thus, each teleseopicallyassociated shaft 383, 384 and 385 is associated with a pair of parallelrack supports and a pair of said constructions are caused to moveinwardly and outwardly towards and away from each other, respectively,in spaced and parallel relation. Herein the arrangement is such that thetwo sets of shafts are simultaneously movable inwardly or outwardly'andare positioned transversely of each other at all times.

The shafting is shown tubular for convenience only. The sectionalizingis required where the length of the fingers is insuiiicient to positionthe brick without considerable dropping in the ear with the segregatorremaining above the dryer car. Thus the shafting and segregatorframework can be received within the dryer car by sectionalizing theshaftin It will be recalled, each df the saddles of the brick liftingdevices indicated in Figs.

`6 to 9, indicated Yby the numeral 303, includes a pair of transversebearings. In the before mentioned figures the numerals 302 and 304indicate the'tubular sh'afting herein indicated by the several numerals379 to 385 inclusive, respectively. The segregator construction includeseight parallel positioned shaftings 379 to 382, inclusive, andtwentyfour parallel positioned shaftings 383 to 385,` inclusive, thatis,there' is provided one hundred ninety-two brick clamping devicesarranged in rows of eight each in tandem relation and in twenty-fourtransverse rows. The foregoing eightr by twentyfour arrangement, in thecase of brick, permits eightwbrick'to be positioned in tandem-andabuttable relation as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 12, and twenty-,four rows ofsuch abutted brick to be posi- 'tween said shaftings.

tioned in spaced relation suitably separated by at least; the width ot'thel linger. The last mentioned arrangement is shown clearly by theLipper left-hand corner of Fig. 10. The extended relation is shown bythe lower right-hand corner of Fig. 10. It is not essential thatthemovement in two transverse directions, -even though simultaneous, beequal but the mechanism is such that said movement may be equal.

Thel means for insuring accurate spacing include suitable linkage andreference is now had particularly to Figs. 11, 12, 14 and 15. The links386 are associated with the ends of the shafting 382. The distancebetween the openings in each link constitute the mechanism clearancedistance between said shaftings in the contracted or telescopicposition. VThe distance from the farthest point on the elongated slotsof the linkconstitutes the maximum spacing distance be- Similarly, links387 are lassociated with the end-s ofthe shafts 385 and said links aresimilarly formed and have the same limiting factors. It will hc apparentthat the two types of links need not necessarily be of the same lengthandVA as shown in Figs. 14 and 15 are not of the same length.Furthermore, the openings need not be of the same diameter, for, asshown in Fig. 14, the size of the shaft does and may vary. It is onlynecessary to provide two transverse sets of linkages but for equalmovement two parallel sets are utilized, and these are associated withthe outer ends of the several shafts. When the shafting is in thecontracted or telescopic position the linkages are in their collapsedposition. lt will be apparent that adjacent. links are alternatelyoffset from cach other. When the shafting is extended the links areextended and'limit the extreme. movement of the. several shafts. By theforegoing construction the. position of cach brick engaging unit isequally determined in the extended and contracted position which are thetwo essential positions.

In Fig. 13 there is illustrated a travel limit switch designated LS 12used ascontrol 'for the reversible motor 362. Herein said limit switchconsists of a suitable gear 389 which meshes with the gear 390 carriedby the threaded shaft 391. The threaded shaft 391 carries a collar 392and this collar is adapted to movement to and fro on the shaft thru thcrotation thereof. A pair of switches include movable contacts 393 and393 and stationary contacts 394 and 394. The collar 392 is adapted toalternately engage one or the other of the movable contacts in itsreciprocatory movement and open vthe circuit through the switch at theend of its reciprocatory movement in one direction, which automaticallywill stop the motor 362 at that point but will permit the circuit to beclosed thru the motor in the reverse dircction when other suitablecontrols are actuated. 'l`hcrcupon when so actuated current. is suppliedto the motor for reverse rotation, which rcverses the travel of theblock 392 permitting the switch heretofore open to close making readyfor the reverse movement and continuing the motor movement until suchtime as the-block or contact 39;). engages the other movable contact toopen the switch thercthrough and stop the motor. The foregoingconstitutes Athe automatic travel limit and reverse switch mechanismprovided for the segregator motor. This motor also is provided withdynamic braking and it dcsired, may include a solenoid brake.

Urano.

Means are provided for positioning the segregator and brick liftcrs forbrick engagement and for deposition of brick on the dryer car. Such a.means includes a suitable movable Support which is hereinafter termedthe crane, which movably supports a trolley. The crane and trolley arecapable through switch control means of a step by step movement forsuccessively presentingr unfilled brick lifting devices to bricksupplied in stream formation hy the off-bearing belt. Such aconstruction is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1 and in detail in ltigs.10 and 17,'while Figs. 18 and 19 in addition to 10 and 17, illustratesuitable controls for the crane construction. In said figures 400indicates `a pair of crane supporting tracks illus- 1' trated aschannels and shown supporting a crane or movable framework whichinclude: a plurality of. flanged wheels 401 supported by saidtrack-ways. 'lhese wheels are connected by shafts 402 which arerotatably supported by the outwardly projecting bracket portion 403included in the framework members 404. Said members 404 connected bytransverse members 405, con-'titulo the remainder of the openrectangular framework. The members 405 are so formed that `theyconstitute a trolley track-way and are substantially transverse to thecrane track-way. Suitable stops 406 are associated with the track-ways405 for limiting the travel of the trolley thereon.

Upon a base plate 407 is mounted an electric motor 408 and herein termedthe crane motor. This includes a driving pinion 409 meshing with adriving gear 410. which rotates shaft 411 supporting a worm 412 whichmeshes with a worm wheel 413 carried b v one of the shafts 402. Forwardaml reverse. rotation, respectively. of the motor 408 will canse forwardand reverse movement of tlu` entire Crane construction upon the. cranetrack-ways 400. Forward and reverse movement of the crane upon thetrack-way may be continuous or intermittent` or stepv by step, or anycombination thereof. Motor 408.

includes a solenoid brake 399 which together with dynamic braking,secures substantially instantaneous stoppage of the crane in any desiredposition through the use of travel limit switches, the particularlocation of which is hereinafter to be described. For one form ofmovement preferred, reference will be had to the controldescription tobe givenhereinafter. The trolley 414 is provided with `a pair ofaxles415 that extend transversely of the shaft 402 and said axlessupport flanged wheels 416 which roll upon trolley-trackways-405'. Thetrolley 414 sup ports a motor 417, the shaft 418 of which carries a worm419 meshing with a worm wheel 420 carried by one of'the shafts 415.

p The solenoid brake 398 is lalso associated 'which form a bevel gear.

therewith.A Thus the trolley is caused lto reciprocate on the crane atright angles to the crane movement as desired. In laddition to thesolenoid brake, dynamic braking is also employed on motor 417.

The trolley 414 is herein shown provided with a central aperture 431defined by a col lar 432, which includes a bushing 433 for rotatablysupporting'a hub 434 carried by turn table 435. Turn table 435 at itsouter periphery is provided with inclined teeth 436 A bevel pinion 437is carried by shaft 438 in brackets 439 upon the table 414. A worm wheel396 upon the shaft 438 meshes with a Worm 44() carried by Vshaft 441'.This shaft is driven by the quarter turn motor 442 supported upon thetable 414. The motor also is provi ed,

in addition to dynamic braking, with a solenoid brake 395. Interposedbetween the turntable 436 andthe trolley 414, is a suitableanti-friction construction herein shown in the form of an annular ballrace 443. Positioned within the central opening 431 is a stem 452 whichis rigid withthe collar 360 supporting the rectangular se re atorframework. This stem 452 is threadid ut is slidably supported in thecentral`aperture 453 formed in the turn table 435. The stem 452 includesa keyway 454 and the hub 434'of the turn table 435 includes a comlementary keywa 455. These receive a loc ing key 456 whic preventsrelative rotation of the stem 452 and f the turn table 435. Therefore,rotation of the turn table by means of the quarter turn motor 442 alsorotates thestem 452 and the segregator support 360.

The turn table 435 mounts a projecting tongue or latch 470 having thetapered faces 471. In bracket 4 72 on trolley 414 is mounted solenoid473, the core 474 of which carries on its free end a (plunger 475, whichhas tapered faces 476, an a wedge shaped notch or socket 477 adapted toreceive the locking projection 470. Spring 478 yieldingly retains saidplun er or catch in latch retaining position and. t us locks the turntable and consequently the segregator support in a predeterminedposition. Pl'unger 475 carries an insulation su i )ort 479 which carriesa bridement of the quarter turn motor. Thus until the solenoid 473 hasbeen actuated to retract the plunger 475 the switch 480-481 will remainopen Vand lthe motor will not be energized. When the plunger isretracted the switch will be closed to energize the motor 442 and rotatethe turn table 435. There may be included a-pick up and maintainingrelay arrangement so that the solenoid 473 may be decnergized andpermitopening of switch 480-481 and yet permit the quarter turn motor torotate the turn table 435. This latch mechanism is necessary only whenthe motion of the turn table is to be so rapid that the ordinarysolenoid brake and dynamic brake fail to stop the turn table at theproper position at the end ofeach cycle.

Rotatably mounted on turn table 435 is a bevel gear 460 having athreaded central aperture 461 which has threaded engagement. with thethreaded stem 452. The gear 460 is supported on thc turn table 435 by anantifriction support or ball race 462. Meshing with the gear 46() is abevelpinion 463 carried by a shaft. 464, in turn supported by brackets465 upon the turn table 435.` A worm wheel 466 upon said lshaft isactuated by a worm 467 upon a mo'or'shaft 468, oper able by a reversibleraising and lowering motor 469. The .shaftv 468 also carries a solenoidbrake 397. I'Vhen vthe motor 469 is cnergized it causes rotation of gear460 in the proper direction to secure raising or lowering of the stem452 and the segrcgator support 366, Since the stem 452 is keyed to theturn table 435 as before described, the raising and lowering is notaccompanied by relative rotation of thel segregator and ,the turn table.

The gear 460 also serves as a support for the stem 452.and theentiresegregating and brick lifting mechanism since the pitch of thethreads is made such that the vaction of gravity is not sufficient torun the gear back ward and lower the stem without help from the raisingand lowering motor. i.

Level selectors and 'rotary` limit switch.

In the normlal operation of the machine, it is required that at certaintimes the segregator support 360 he positioned at predetermined levelsfor depositing.r brick on the drier bar.. For this purpose there isprovided an upright 492 upon which arel mounted a plurality of levelselecting switches, LS B, LS C, LS D, LS E, LS F, LS G, LS H and LS I.See Figs. 17, 18 and 19. These level selecting switches have ro'ectingtriggers 496. A collar 485 is carried y the threaded stem 452, and apair of side portions 484 proloc ject therefrom. Pivotally supportedthereby is a tripping member 486, engageable upon triggers 496 foropening the level selecting switches.

Side portions 484 are connected by transverse, portions 489 and anadjustable stop 490 is carried thereby which is engageable by aprojectingT portion 491 upon the tripping member 486. Thus, in the upward movement of the collar 485 by reason of the rising of the threadedstem 452, the tilting movement of the tripping member is limited asshown in Fig. 19 to clearance of the triggers 496. The tripping member486 carries a member 487 which abuts an adjustable mounted screw 488carried by the collar 485. Member 487 also acts as a counterweight andinsures that the normal position of the tripping member is as shown inFig. 18.

The switch' mechanism associated with the trigger 496 consists of acontact 493 carried by the support 492 and engageable by a yieldinglymounted contact 494 -pivotally supported at 497. A spring 495 normallymaintains contact or trigger 496 in the borizontal position abutting astop 496B' carried by the support 492 and in this position the switchcontact 494 engages switch contact 493.` Insulation blocks 497 and 4933'insulate the two contacts from the remainder' of the mafhine.

In the lowering movement of the threaded stem 452, the tripper 486engages trigger 496 and opens the circuit across the switch points493-494. In the elevational movement the tripper 486 is tilted out ofthe way and the switches remain in the normally closed position. 'lheeight projecting triggers 496 shown in Fig. 17, are each associated witha switch and it is apparent that if the current for energizing thelowering of the raising and lowering motor is passed through any one otsaid switches that the lowering motion will be stopped as soon as thetripper 486 reaches the proper level to break the Contact at thatparticular switch. In order to stop the lowering motion at the desiredlevel, it is only necessary to send the current controlling the loweringmotor through the proper level selecting switch.

The actuation of the active level selector switch is accomplishedby-means of the rotary controller/426 shown in detail in Figs. 3, 5. 16and 17'. rlhis switch consists ofv a rotatable insulation drum 426" uponwhich is mounted a plurality of electrically`connected contacts 427arranged around the drum in ottsetv relation and equal in number to thenumber of level selector switches 493 494 and a continuous contact 429which extends around the drum and is electrically connected to contacts427. Bearing upon the drum and insulated from each other and yfrom theremainder of the machine is a series of brushes 427a for individualengagement with a contact 427 and a brush 429 for the continuous contact429. Each of the brushes 427a corresponding to one of the contacts 427is connected to the contact 494 on one of the level selecting switches.The brush 429a corresponding to the continuous 'contact 429 is connectedinto the main control line for the lowering motor as is hereinafterdescribed. It is apparent from the foregoing description that tor anyposition of the rotating drum 426a one and only one of the brushes 42711will be in contact with a Contact 427 and the circuit only can be madethrough that particular brush and its corresponding level selectorswitch. To select the proper level it is necessary to have the properbrush engage its contact 427 either by hand or by automatic means.

In Figs. 16 and 17 is shown a means for automatic setting of the rotarylimit switch consisting of an overhanging arm- 421 carried -by trolley414 and pivotally supporting a pawl or tooth 422 adapted to engage astar wheel 423 mounted on the shaft 424 which also carries the rotatingdrum 426 of the rotary controller. The said shaft is supported from oneof the crane members 404 by the brackets 425. In each return movement ofthe trolley the star wheel 423 will be actuated by the pawl 422 therebymoving the rotating drum 426a .a predetermined portion of a revolution.Since pawl 422 is free to pivot from its normal position in onedirection the star wheel has unidirectional rotation only. Herein eightpoints are shown on the star Wheel corresponding to eight brushes 427aLand eight level selecting switches, and therefore, the drum 426a ismoved through an eighth of a revolution for each return of the trolley.In this manner eight successive courses f brick are set on the dryer carand on the ninth return of the trolley the first or lowest level is setto commence the filling of an empty car. Y

The rotary controller 426 also carries on its drum 426a anothercontinuous contactor 428. having a brush 428a associated therewith. Alsomounted on said drum is a series of segmental contacts 430 having abrush 430a associated therewith. The contacts 430 are each electricallyconnected to the contact 428. The brushes 428a and 430a are y.includedin the circuit for controlling Ythe quarter turn motor as hereinafterdescribed.

Vhen the drum is in such position that brush 430 is in contact with oneof the segs4 mental contacts 430 the circuit may be coinpleted and aquarter turn will take place at the proper pointv in the cycle ofoperations. In Figs'. 3 and 5 one contact 430 is shown for eachalternate position of the drum 426. By this arrangementalternate coursesof brick on the ,dryer car will be cross hacked. It will be apparentthat by loo a different arrangement of the segmental contacts the firsttwo courses might be cross hacked, the second two not, and so forth orany desired combination of cross hacking might be obtained.

Travel limit switches.

To control and limit the several travels of the several mechanismsincluded in the hacking machine a number of travel limit switches areused in addition to the level selectors, the rotary controller and thesegregator limit switch previously described. These`travel limitswitches are shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 17 and suitably indicatedin the wiring diagrams.

Fixedly and successively mounted along the crane trackway 400, rec Fig.1, is a plurality of travel limit switches designated LS 2, LS 17 to LS23 inclusive, and LS 1. Each of said switches carries a projecting fork298a engageable by a trigger 298 carried by. the crane. When the forkisen` gaged by the trigger passing in` one direction.a circuit iscompleted within the limit similar travel limit switches designated` LS13, LS 4 to LS 10 inclusive, LS 10 and LS ll. Each of said switchescarries a projecting fork 298a engageable by a trigger 297 carried bythe trolley 414. These switches with the exception of switch LS 10 areused to limit and control the travel i of the trolley, which travel istermed out or in. In addition, switch LS 11 conditions circuits for bothmanual and automatic operation of thc raisingr and lowering motor 469for lowering and switch LS 13 conditions a circuit for automaticlowering. In addition, for certain types of automatic control, theswitches LS 4 to LS 10 inclusive' carried by the turn table 435. Theseswitches are used to limit the travel of the turn table which is termedcross turn and normal turn.

Carried by the trolley 414 are two travel limit switches 499 and 500,see Fig. 17. Each of these switches carries a projecting fork 298ilengageable by the arcuate collar 498 carried by stem 452. The arcuateformation of the collar insures engagement of the respective forks bythe collar independent of the oscillatory rotation of the stem 452.These switches are used in addition to the level selectors previouslyc1described for limiting the vertical travel of the stem 452, termed upand .down. In addition the switch 4994 conditions circuits for bothmanual and automatic actuation of the trolley motor lfor travel towardthe ofbearing belt, for automatic actuation of the segregator motor foropening the segregator, for automatic actuation of the quarter turnmotor for the normal turning of the turn table, and for automaticactuation of the reverse crane travel,

The number and locations of, and the circuits controlled by the travellimit switches as described above may be and are varied to obtain thesequence of operations desired. The inter-connection and two examples ofthe sequence of control of the several switches are hereinafterdescribed.

Operation.

The foregoing completely describes the' mechanical construction of onehacking machine except for the, wiring. The combined operation of theseveral hacking machines and the electrical control circuits by whichthe exemplified operation is obtained is as follows:

Three hacking machines, seeFig. 1, on a com-mon crane trackway are shownassociated with a single offbearin'g belt 301 carrying a plurality ofbrick 300, herein shown arranged in transverse rows three brick to therow. These machines are shown inter-connected for automatic operation.There are also shown a plurality of dryer cars 299, one for eachmachine. Hacking machine No. l at the right in'Fig. 1 is shownpositioned over its dryer car with a course of brick in cross-hackedrelation, that is, turned at 90 degrees to the position of the brick onthe belt. Hacking machine No. 2 in the middle of Fig. 1 is shownpartially filled and filling with brick. Hacking machine No. 3 is in thestarting position ready to begin filling when the filling of number 2 iscompleted. In the usual sequence of operations machine No. 1 fillsfirst. It then moves to the dryer car." The master control of No. 2 isactuated automatically -by machine No. 1 to initiate Vthe. filling ofNo. 2. 'Wh'en hacking machine No. 2 is filled, the master control ofmachine No. 1) is similarly actuated. During the filling of No. 2 andNo. 3 No. 1 has deposited its brick and returned to the start andfilling position with the brick passing through between the plates ofthe brick lifters and with the brick engaging triggers in non-engageableposition. lVhen enough brick have passed through No. 1 machine tosubstantially complete the filling of hacking` machine No. 3 the mastercontrol of hacking machine No. 1 is actuated automatically and thefilling of hacking machine No. 1 is again initiated. f.

Herein `each hacking machine is assumed to have 24 rows of brick liftersand since three streams of brick are presented on the belt there must beeight stages in the filling of the complete unit. The position of thesegregator of machine No. 2 for each of the eight stages of filling isshown by dash lines designated ST-l, ST-2, ST3 etc. to ST-S. At stage 1the first three rows of brick lifters are filled.' The machine thenmoves to the stage 2 position where the fourth, fifth and sixth rows ofVlittersl are filled. This continues for the eight stages whereupon themachine moves into position over the dryer car. The divisibility of 24by several common divisions results in a convenient convertibleinterchangeable construction with 24 rows.

Herein the motion from stage to stage is shown to be diagonal, theforward component being for the urpose of 'clearing the oncoming 'brickon t ie belt. The minimum amount of the forward travel necessarilydepends on the speed of the ofbearing belt and the spacing of the brickon the belt. relatively slow belt speeds or wide brick spacing theforward travel is not necessary, and the stage to stage movement islateral only. The two components'of the diagonal movement may take placesimultaneously or successively. Each dryer car is herein shown square,so that it may fit the dimensions of the same course of' brick whencross hacked or when not cross hacked. It is possible, however, to placea square unit of brick on two dryer cars each of the dimension of halfthe square and positioned side by side. It is also possible for twohacking machines to deposit brick on one dryer car positioned betweenthem. When two hacking machines alternately deposit on the same dryercar,A

one machine may deposit courses cross hacked, while the other willdeposit them non-cross hacked. y In this case any shape of car might beused, the segregators of the two hacking machines being-built to fitthecarin tha position for vwhich each is intended to deposit. It is alsopossible for two lhacking machines to deposit brick on a single pair ofhalf square dryer cars positioned Side by side andbetween the hackingiiiachi'nes.I

It is also possible for one hacking machine to fill a`-half of a courseat each tripon a halfn For square car. IThese and many other variationsare possible and' are included 1n this invention.

Brick lifter eontrolaoir'z'ng.

F ig. 2 diagrannnatically shows the wiring of a mechanism including 192brick lifters arranged in 24 tandem rows, 8 lifters to each row. Eachlifter, as previously described. includes a pair of lifting solenoids307, an auxiliary solenoid 347, a normally open switch 339-340 and anormally closed auxiliary switch 342-346.

A pair of mains 609 and 610 are energized by a circuit to be hereinafterdescribed upon actuation of the master control of the hacking machine.From each of these mains a branch extends to each of the 192 lifters asshown. The auxiliary coils 347 of the first finger in each row areconnected; directly across these two lines through the auxiliary switch342-4346 and when these lines are energized the auxiliary coils areenergized to place the trigger of the lifter in the path of the brick aspreviously described. Upon brick engagement switch 3394340 is closed andsolenoids 307 are energized for brick lifting. At the same time theauxiliary solenoid 347 of the second finger in the row is energizedthrough line 358 and its auxiliary switch 342-4346 to drop the triggerof the second fingerfor brick engagement.

Where several streams of brick are simultaneously picked up electricalcross ties are used betwee the litters to be simultaneously operateherein shown connectedl in groupsof threes. These cross ties insure thatall of auxiliary Solenoids 347 in a transverse group of three will beactuated and their triggers placed for brick engagement upon theactuation for br'iek lifting of any one of Ythe liftersinthe precedingsimilar group of three. Therefore, if a brick is removed from the beltbyaccident or for inspection thenext following brick will be caught by theintended lifter as if the preceding briek had not been removed. Thelifter corresponding to the brickremoved will be leftI vacant and thesubsequent operation of the machine will not be interfered with in anyway. Thewcross ties 70() also insure'that all the 'lifters in atransveme group of threewill beV actuated for'lifting even though onelor more ofrvtheswitches 339-340 fails to inakecontact. `tlliroughacoating of clay, mis-'adjustment ora'ny other cause, so long as oneofzthe switches 339` 4 340 in the group makes contact.

Multiple hacking mac/zine control.

(itl

represents a push button which encrgizes the lines 609 and 610 ofhacking machine No. 1, for manually conditioning this machine forfilling by making contact between a line 680 and a line 681 by a circuitto be hereinafter described. Similar push buttons 289 and 288 aresimilarly associated with hacking machines Nos. 2 and 3 respectively.Associated with the last brick lifter to be filled, No. 192, of hackingmachine No. 1 is a relay 290 which is energized to close a switch293-294 when the said brick lifter is actuated for lifting.j "l`heswitch 293- 294 short circuits tlie'niastcr control push lbutton 289 ofhacking machine No. 2 conditioning this machine for receiving brick.

By a similar relay 293-4294 the last lifter to be filled in machine No.2 conditions machine No. 3 for, filling. By a similar relay a certainpredetermined lifter'of hacking machine No. 3 similarly conditionshacking machine No. 1 for filling. The particular lifter of machine No.3 to he used is selected such that enough brick are left on the beltbetween machines Nos. 1 and 3 to substantially complete the filling ofNo. 3. It automatic actuation of the master control is not desired thesame brick lifter in each machine may be used to ring a bell or givesome other warning signal to thev operator that it is time to actuatemanually the master control.

W irz'ng diagram'.

Figs-2, 3 and 4 combined give the cmplete wiring diagram for one form ofoperation of the hacking machine. Lines terminating at the left in Fig.3 connect to like numbered lines terminating at the right in Fig. 2.Lilies terminating at the right in,

Associated with each hacking machine is a panel board on which ismounted all of the electrical apparatus incloscd within u dash line 90()in\Fig. 4. A main supply line 60() and a main return line 601 supplydirect current to the electrical apparatus from a suitablel generator.Current from line 600 first passes 'through an overload relay 602.

From the live side of the overload relay leadsa line 640 connectedthrough a normally clegl bridgingbar 641 operable by the overload relay,and through a line 642 to an solenoid. 643 having its opposite sideconnected through a line 644 tosthe main return .line 601.

Solenoid 643 when energized maintains a normally open control relay 689in the closed position. As will be hereinafter shown all of the motorcontrol circuits and the master control circuit f or the brick lifterspass through the control' relay 689. This serves as overload protectionfor the entire hacking machine circuits except the motor shunt fields. fl

Int Figs. 3 and 5 is shown the mast-cr control push button 287previously described and which may be connected to the auto matic relayas shown in Fig. 1. Pressing the push button 287 or operating thecorresponding automatic relay closes the connection between lines 680and 681 to set the master control circuit for the brick litters asfollows: from the main supply line 60() and over-load relay 602, thru aline 682 to the rotary controller 426. From the rotary tontroller thruany ene of the level selectorsl LS B, C, D, E, F, G,H, or I and a line683 to a normally closed drop push button 684, thru theline 680 and theswitch 28? to the line. 681 to a. point 7 on the panel board and thencethru a line 685 to a solenoid 686, thence on a line 687 and a line 688to the control relay689 which is normally closed unless the over-loadrelay has dropped out. From the control relay 689 the circuit continuesthru the line 644 to a point 2 on the main return line 601. lThiscircuit energizes'the coil 686 which operates to close a slow drop outswitch 690. Closing this switch 690 sets a circuit as follows:

From the main supply line 21h60() thru the over-load relay 602 and aline 603 to a point 3, from the point 3 thru a line 691 to each of apair of parallel .connected coils 693; from-v these coils thru a line695 to the slow drop out switch 690 and thence thru the line 688 andthecontrol relay 689 and the line 644 to the oint. 2 on the main re turnline 601. This .circuit energizes the coils 693A which closes a pair ofmain linel contactors 692 and 694. Closing the contacter 692 connectsthe brick'lifter supply line 609 to the line 600 by way of'the overloadrelay andthe line 603. Closing the contacter 694 connects the bricklifter supply linef 610 with the return line 601. Movable with theswitch 694 isv an interlock 696 which is also closed when switch 694 isclosed. This interlock is connected in pal'- allel with the push button287 by lines 681 l and 697. It. therefore. maintains the previouslydescribed circuits complete even after the operators rfinger has beenremoved from the push button) The master 'control circuit isbroken whenL th tripper 486 on the vertical stem 452 eigages the trigger 496 oflthe active"^" level roo selector, when the drrp push button 681 iaipressed. or when the control relay (SSQfjg opened by actuation olf thev01-.10nd rehw

